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Commentary: Why we join

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Miranda I. Dimick
  • 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  "You can only sign your life away once."

It's a saying I have heard many times in the short period I have spent as an active-duty member of the Air Force. Over and over, we listen to the jokes and stories about why we are all here, and maybe we tell a few of our own. We talk about how we wanted to travel, or maybe we were looking for a steady paycheck. Many of us joined to have money for college and because we wanted to do something for our home and country.

We are often asked why we made the decision to join the military, and it's a question that can rarely be answered with a single phrase. But no matter how the question is answered, I think each of us has something in common: We all joined because we wanted a better future for ourselves and for the people we love. Being a military member has given us all options and possibilities that we may not have had as civilians. We have the comfort of a secure job and the ability to support ourselves and our families. The benefits we receive can also help to secure a positive future for our children. As part of a military community we are provided with help and support whenever we are in need, and each day is an opportunity to excel in our lives -- whether we choose to see the world, pursue an education or simply raise a family.

A career in the military can have its ups and downs, and we are sometimes asked to leave our friends and families behind, but it is often through their love and support that we find the motivation to complete our mission and ensure their safety and freedom.

Each of us comes from a different background, and we all have our own stories and reasons behind why we signed that contract. We have different goals and dreams, and our decisions to continue our careers or end our enlistments may change with time, but I believe when we signed up that we knew we would be giving ourselves a chance at a better life and making a difference in the lives of others.

We knew that we wanted to be a part of something that is not only shaping our future, but the future of the United States of America. So the next time you are asked why you joined the military, tell them about the many ways it has affected you and your family, and how you are a better person because of it.